Gas-generator for explosive-engines.



No. 759,011. PATENTED MAY 3, 1904. F. E. PFISTER.

GAS GENERATOR FOR EXPLOSIVE ENGINES.

APPLIUATIOF FILED MAR. 16. 1903..

THE rmnms Prrms co. Puoroumo WASHINGTON a. c

UNITED STATES I Patented May 3, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

GAS-GENERATOR FOR EXPLOSlVE-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,011, dated May 3, 1904.

Application filed March 16, 1903. Serial No. M7309. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK E. PEIs'rEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakland, county of Alameda, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in (Eras-Generators for Explosive-Engines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The present invention has for its object, essentially, the utilization of low-grade distillates or oils for the generation of a mixture or gas as an explosive charge for that class of engines known as gas or explosive engines,

the improved generator comprising a casing or shell having working therein a rotatable hollow wheel or drum, means whereby the products of combustion from the explosive-engine are delivered to the interior of the wheel or drum, with mechanism whereby the oil to be volatilized is delivered onto or into oil-receiving receptacles secured to the periphery of the rotatable drum or wheel, and a receiving-res ervoir for the generated gas communicating with the interior of the shell or casing.

To comprehend the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is an end View in elevation, partly broken away, of the improved generator; and.

Fig. 2 is a side view in elevation,partly broken away, of the apparatus. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view illustrating the oil-feed supplypipe and the air-valve.

In the drawings the numeral 1 is used to indicate the shell or casing, within which works the drum or wheel 2. This drum or wheel is a hollow one, the interior thereof being formed into a spiral passage-way 3 by means of the partition-wall 1. The hollow trunnions 5 6 work through bearings 7 of the shell or casing, trunnion 5 being connected to the exhaustpipe 8 by the stuffing-gland 9. The trunnion 6 is connected to the pipe 10 by stufling-gland 11. This pipe 10 communicates with the cylinder 12, supported above the casing or shell 1. Within the cylinder 12 is arranged the reservoir 13, the same beingsomewhat smaller than the cylinder 12, so as to leave a heatspace 14 therearound. The reservoir 13 is thus heat-jacketed, the said reservoir communicating with the interior of the casing or shell 1 by means of the connection 15. The gas as generated within the shell or casing 1 escapes into the receiving-reservoir 13 through the said connection 15. From the gas-reservoir 13 the gas is withdrawn by the operation of the engine (not shown) by means of the suction-pipe 15.

The oil or hydrocarbon to be used for the generation of the gas or explosive vapor is fed into the shell or casing 1 from the pipe 17. The lower end of this feed-pipe is arranged to deposit the oil flowing therefrom into one of the series of pockets or receiving-chambers 18, secured to the periphery of the drum or wheel 2.

To the trunnion 5 is attached a worm-gear 19, which is driven by an intermeshing wormpinion 20, mounted upon the shaft 21. This shaft is driven from the engine by any suitable connection, whereby the shaft is actuated to drive the worm-gear 19 during the operation of the engine.

The hot products of combustion or exhaust from the engine as carried through the drum or wheel 2 heats the surface thereof and the interior of the shell or casing to a high degree suflicient to volatilize the liquid hydrocarbon held within the receiving-cups, pockets, or receiving-chambers 18 during the rotation of the wheel or drum 2. As the wheel or drum 2 is rotated the liquid hydrocarbon held within the said pockets, cups, or chambers is maintained in an agitated condition.

By the time any one of the pockets, cups, or receiving-chambers reaches the point X within the casing or shell the lighter or volatile portions of the oil or hydrocarbon will have been thrown 01f, leaving the heavier or worthless portions therein. This residue or worthless portion is discharged from the cups, pockets, or chambers 18 during the continued rotation of the wheel or drum 2 and deposited.

within the receiving-pit 22, from which it may be withdrawn. This receiving-pit is closed by the face-plate 23.

The feed-supply pipe communicates with the interior of the gas-reservoir by the branch connection 24, within which works the suctionvalve 25. This valve controls the feed-inlet 26 for the oil or hydrocarbon.

With each stroke of the engine a charge of gas is drawn from the reservoir 13 into the explosive-chamber through suction-pipe 16. The suction thus caused is sufficient to overcome the pressure of the valve-spring 2'7 and to draw the valve 25 inward to open the feedinlet 26 and permit a charge or given quantity of the oil or hydrocarbon to pass from the supply-pipe 27 into the feed-pipe 17, by which it is conveyed to the interior of the easing or shell 1 and delivered into the cups, pockets, or receiving-chambers 18 of the rotating drum or wheel 2.

Air is supplied to the interior of the shell or casing, which interior shall hereinafter be termed a mixing-chamber 28, for intermixing with the generated gas by means of the inwardly-moving valve 29. This valve is actuated to admit air by the suction created within the gas-reservoir as a charge is withdrawn therefrom through the suction-pipe 16.

The gas within the reservoir 13 is maintained heated by the hot products of combustion circulating within the space lt, which products of combustion escape through the outlet-opening 30.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be protected by Letters Patent, is

l. A gas-generator for explosive-engines, the same comprising a shell or casing, a drum for the hydrocarbon rotatably mounted therein, means attached to the said drum for receiving the hydrocarbon, means for supplying the hot products of combustion from an engine into and through the drum, and a gas-receiving reservoir which communicates with and receives the gas from the vaporizing-chamber of the shell or casing.

2. A gas-generator for explosiveengines, the same comprising a shell or casing, an interiorly-heated drum for the hydrocarbon rotatably mounted within the shell or casing, a feed-pipe extending into the shell or casing,

which the hydrocarbon is delivered, a heatjacketed gas-reservoir communicating with the interior of the shell or casing, an air-inlet valve for supplying air into the vaporizingchamber, and means whereby the products of combustion from an engine are delivered into the drum and from the drum to the heat-circulating space of the heat-jacketed reservoir.

4. A gas-generator for explosive-engines, comprising a shell or casing, an interiorlyheated drum rotatably mounted therein, means for imparting rotation thereto, a feed for the hydrocarbon extending into the shell or casing, devices carried by the drum for receiving the hydrocarbon fed into the shell or casing, a receiving-chamber located below the drum into which the heavier or non-volatile portion of the hydrocarbon is discharged from the receiving devices of the drum, a-heat-jacketed gas-reservoir communicating with the interior of the shell or casing, means for supplying the products of combustion from an engine into and through the drum, and connection whereby the products of combustion are conveyed to the heat-space of the heat-jacketed gas-reservoir.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK E. PFISTER.

WVitnesses:

N. A. ACKER, WALTER F. VANE 

